Looking after orphans and widows

“But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted; you consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”– Psalm 10:14 (NIV)

Vincent Kuchuwa outside his old house. (Photo by Duncan Nyozani)

Vincent Kuchuwa, who is 7 years old, lost his mother when he was a baby. Later his father also died. Then his grandparents died. He was cared for in southern Malawi by an old, very poor couple, who often faced severe hunger.

Sidala Nyadani, who is 14, lost both parents to AIDS eight years ago. The following year her grandparents also died. She was taken in by a relative, who is now very sick.

Ethel Thunga, who is 13, saw her father die from malaria 10 years ago. Her mother is considered mad and she is chronically ill. Ethel was cared for by an older brother, who cannot support them.

These three children were added to Climbing For Christ’s Project 1:27 and will be cared for by ministry partner Pastor Duncan Nyozani. This brings to 22 the number of children supported by Climbing For Christ in Malawi, where Project 1:27 began more than seven years ago.

Project 1:27 was expanded in 2011 to Nepal, where more than 50 children are cared for by Pastor Tej Rokka’s SARA ministries. At least five of those Nepali children are in need of sponsors. More on this in a moment.

Project 1:27 is based on James 1:27, which tells us “to look after orphans and widows in their distress.” We are thankful to Laura and Adam Copper of Cañon City, CO, who recently joined C4C and asked about sponsoring two children, and also to Bea Schantz of Rochester, NY, who was moved to sponsor a child in need. Duncan responded to the hearts of these people by searching the villages around him to find children from the many in need to bring into his care.

The old couple with whom Vincent lived “shed tears of joy” when Duncan offered to take the youngster. “The couple is suffering so much; they don’t have food, they just live by grace,” Duncan said. “As you see the picture of their house [at the top of the page], it is a very dangerous house with cracks, unburnt bricks with grass thatch (roofing). It will collapse any time. They are having sleepless nights in this cold season.”

Sidala Nyadani. (Photo by Duncan Nyozani)

Sidala also lived in a very poor house “with a broken door, sleeping without a blanket, no shoes.” These things are, sadly, quite common in remote southern Malawi.

Ethel’s brother was “very excited to hear that there is a plan to take her to the orphanage,” according to Duncan. “He said he will be relieved so much.”

Climbing For Christ’s newest sponsors are providing US$50 a month for each child and an extra $185 to bring each child into Duncan’s Share Hope Foundation children’s home. Plus, C4C is sending more funds to buy new mattresses and bedding for all of the children. We also hope to help Duncan with housing improvements.

Swostika Rai, right, with sisters in Christ Mahima, left, and Jyoti, center. All three were baptized on Easter. (Photo by Gary Fallesen)

IN NEPAL,Swostika Rai is a 16-year-old girl whose mother died when she was a baby. “I am only child of my parent,” Swostika said. “My father was a drunkard. Because of his drunkenness he never cared about me.

“My father’s sisters-in-law looked after me and they admitted me in school. Unfortunately they couldn’t continue my education because their financial condition was poor. So I stopped my school and started to work with my aunt in the garment factory.

“My aunts used to go to the church every Saturday. I also went with them. By going to church I came to know Jesus and I accepted Him in my life as my personal Savior and Lord.”

One of Swostika’s aunts had a friend at SARA church and she met Pastor Tej. “He told me, ‘You are so young and (at) this time you have to finish your school. At this age, you have to study, not work. I want to give you a chance to study if you study hard.’ When Pastor Tej offered me school, I am happy and promised him if I get the chance I will do my best and study hard.”

With that, she moved into the SARA home outside Kathmandu last year and returned to school. She was baptized on Easter. Now, Swostika says, when she graduates from school she wants “to go to Bible college and serve the Lord Jesus in my life. I will serve the Lord being an evangelist because I like to preach the Gospel.”

This is an example of the difference a caring, loving, Christ-centered home can make in the life of a child who the world has left without hope.

Between Malawi and Nepal we have more than 70 children with incredible testimonies thanks to the sponsorship of 31 Climbing For Christ supporters in the United States, Canada, Australia and Switzerland. More children are waiting.

Widows in their affliction

Alesi Kaleso in front of her old house. Climbing For Christ is building her a new home. She is caring for two orphans. (Photo by Damson Samson)

Project 1:27 was expanded last year to include widows in Malawi. While these elderly, desperately poor people are not sponsored, per se, they do receive assistance through regular giving by C4C supporters. Hundreds have been fed, clothed, provided bedding, and in some cases a roof over their heads. We are working on our 37th house for the widows. The construction of these homes has exceeded $18,000 (an average of less than $500 per house).

Damson Samson, Climbing For Christ’s Malawi-based kingdom worker, said: “I still thank heaven for the house project and the need is very great. More are in need for the house. Let’s continue praying for His provision. To those who could not believe in miracles now they can see it in their eyes.”

Numerous widows have come to the LORD as a result of Project 1:27. Damson has established Bible studies in each of the villages and once a month he gathers all of the widows for a night of worship. Last month, 17 widows accepted Jesus as their Lord and Savior. “These widows have appreciated the worship service,” Damson said, “as it is a life-transforming event.”

To support our work with widows, send your contribution it to Climbing For Christ, P.O. Box 16290, Rochester, NY 14616-0290 USA. Or to give via PayPal CLICK HERE. In Canada, make checks payable to The Great Commission Foundation c/o C4C Canada and mail your support to The Great Commission Foundation, PO Box 14006, Abbotsford, B.C. V2T 0B4 . Or CLICK HERE to give online.

Pray, give, GO!

We encourage our members to get involved by praying for, giving to, and GO-ing with Climbing For Christ. We continue to lift up the flooding situation in Nepal, where more than 110 people have drowned or been killed by collapsing buildings. Native kingdom workers are reporting landslides and churches under water. Pastor Tej asked for financial help to provide shelter, food and clean drinking water. So far six donors have given more than $2,150. We appreciate this generosity and ask others to continue supporting this relief effort as we prepare to GO on Mission: Nepal 2017, Part 2 in three weeks.

Climbing for Christ

WARNING!
Activities described on this Web site carry a significant risk of personal injury or death. Do not participate in mountaineering, rock climbing, ice climbing, bouldering, and hiking and trekking unless you are an expert, have sought and obtained qualified professional instruction or guidance, are knowledgeable about the risks involved, and are willing to assume personal responsibility for all risks associated with these activities.